From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Central Michigan EDGE Michael Heldman.
No. 97 Michael Heldman/EDGE Central Michigan 6040/260 (Fifth-year Senior)
Measurements
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Michael Heldman 6040/260 N/A N/A N/A
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
N/A N/A N/A
The Good
– Fluid and agile lateral mover
– Demonstrates great independent hand usage and block shedding
– Good pass rush repertoire that has a strong initial plan
– Able to counter when his initial rush stalls
– Strong inside spin that is his primary go-to move
– Shows good awareness and understanding of where he is on the field
– Rarely rushes past the depth of the quarterback
– High motor player who will chase down plays backside
– Gets his hands into the passing lane if he knows he won’t reach the quarterback
– Shows good flexibility to turn the corner
– Consistent production behind the line of scrimmage
The Bad
– Lacks an explosive first step
– Limited speed-to-power capability
– Not a well-versed athlete, relies more on technique
– Doesn’t possess the strength to consistently hold up against the run
– Struggles to sink his hips and stall offensive linemen against vertical running schemes
– Level of competition is a concern
Stats
– 2025 stats: 48 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 53 pressures, 4 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, 13 games played
– Career stats: 120 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, 132 pressures, 5 pass deflections, 4 forced fumbles, 52 games played
– 15.8 missed tackle percentage (2025)
– 26.4 pass rush win rate (2025)
– 40.2 pass rush win percentage on true pass sets per Pro Football Focus (2025)
Injury History
– Missed one game due to an undisclosed injury (2023)
– Left bowl game against Northwestern in the second quarter and was attended by trainers (2025)
Background
– Born January 2nd, 2003 (23 years old)
– Three-star recruit out of Romeo High School after being named First Team Division One All-State
– Dominated his senior season, leading to being named to the All-Region team, First Team MAC Red First Team, and his county All-Star team
– Nominated for the Anvil Award (top linebacker or defensive lineman in Michigan)
– Posted 19 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 4 forced fumbles in a shortened senior season (2020)
– Gained 10-15 pounds of muscle annually between his freshman and senior seasons
– Second Team Group of Five All-American (2025)
– First Team All-MAC
– Four-time Academic All-MAC and CSC Academic All-District (2025)
– Undergraduate GPA of 3.53 and Graduate GPA (MBA) of 3.88
– Part of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society
– Nominated for the Campbell Trophy (Academics, Leadership, and On-field Performance), Wuerffel Trophy (Most impactful leaders in community service), and AFCA Good Works Team (2025)
– Top 10 in school history for career sacks (19) and tackles for loss (34)
– Used football as a constructive outlet to deal with anger issues that stemmed from bullying
– Developed a passion for theater in high school
– Avid outdoorsman who loves nature and watching YouTube videos about nature
– Regular Golfer and loves building complex LEGO sets
Tape Breakdown
Heldman has become one of the more undervalued pass rushers in this draft class. He may have played at the Group of Five level, but his production is on par with many of the heavy hitters. However, part of the reason he is flying under the radar is his athletic profile. He’s just okay in that department. There aren’t many moments on film where he physically overwhelms his opponent, but thanks to his savviness, he hasn’t needed to.
His production as a pass rusher stems from his advanced hand usage. While many raw athletes rely on a bull rush to try and overpower their matchup, Heldman uses a precise strike to neutralize the offensive tackle’s initial punch. Frequently, he utilizes a “chop-club” or a “swipe” to clear the tackle’s outside hand. Doing so leaves his matchup leaning and off-balance, which he can then exploit by using his hip flexibility to turn the corner and close on the quarterback.
His technical refinement extends beyond just his hands. The crown jewel of his pass-rush repertoire is his inside spin move. He does an excellent job setting it up by establishing a pattern of high-rush attempts where he threatens to run the arc on the offensive tackle. Doing so forces his matchup to respect the outside rush.
Once the tackle begins to “over-set” — kicking back too deep, too wide, and too fast — Heldman is able to capitalize. He will initially sell the high rush before planting his outside foot and snapping his hips back inside toward the quarterback. Simultaneously, he will pull the tackle forward to create additional separation while throwing an “ice-pick” with his inside arm.
If he doesn’t win right away, it doesn’t seem to affect him. Many of his highlight-worthy plays are the result of sheer effort and motor. Heldman is a player who consistently works and fights to get to the quarterback.
As a run defender, Heldman is most reliable against zone concepts. He doesn’t possess the functional strength to consistently hold up against bigger linemen, but he compensates with good pad level and leverage. With active hands, he lands a heavy initial strike that creates effective extension. From there, he shows good use of the stack-and-shed technique to toss the lineman as the ball carrier approaches.
However, much of his run-game production comes from backside pursuit. His motor allows him to chase down ball carriers from the opposite side of the field, and if a coordinator tries to run away from him, he can still find a way to get involved. He also shows good discipline on option plays, not overcommitting to one threat. He’ll work to maintain an angle that keeps him alive to finish on either option, depending on who has the ball.
Most of his issues show up against power schemes. If Heldman loses the leverage battle at the snap, he’s prone to being engulfed by bigger linemen who can overwhelm him with their size and strength.
Conclusion
In a draft class full of high-end athletes who haven’t consistently produced, Heldman is the opposite. He’s done nothing but produce, albeit at the Group of Five level. His tape won’t wow you with dominant physical traits, but he wins his matchups over and over again.
His success stems from the nonstop use of his hands. They’re active and heavy, constantly working to swipe away his opponent’s arms and generate leverage to the outside shoulder. When that doesn’t work, he doesn’t stall out. He shows the ability to work back inside and counter his opponent’s moves.
Heldman’s work in the run game will likely keep him from being viewed as a full-time starter. While the tape shows he can make plays, much of that impact comes on backside pursuit or when he’s freed up as an unblocked defender. He’s capable of holding his own in zone-blocking schemes, where he can use an offensive lineman’s momentum against him, but his lack of lower-body strength will be a concern for NFL teams.
His best fit is likely on a team that primarily operates out of a 3–4 front, where he can play with his feet under him and focus on rushing the passer. His immediate value will come as a situational pass rusher, with one clear assignment: get after the quarterback. Given his physical limitations, it’s difficult to project a role much larger than that, but his technical prowess should be enough to keep him on a roster.
A good comparison for Heldman’s potential role is Jonathan Cooper from Ohio State. With similar measurables, both rushers lack the top-tier burst that widens their margin for error, but they win with relentless effort. Cooper entered the league as a slightly better run defender, but Heldman has time to grow in that area.
NFL Draft Projection: Late Day Three
Steelers Depot Draft Grade: 7.2 (Spot Starter)
Grade Range: 6.7 – 7.7
Games Watched: @ San Jose State (2025), vs. Eastern Michigan (2025), @ Bowling Green (2025), vs. Buffalo (2025), @ Kent State (2025), vs. Toledo (2025)
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